General Motors starting white-collar layoffs this week

by Associated Press

FILE- This Nov. 18, 2010, file photo shows the General Motors headquarters in Detroit. GM announced plans to shed 8,000 white-collar jobs, erasing the long-held notion that if you have an education, you’re immune from cyclical layoffs that used to be reserved for factory workers. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)

DETROIT (AP) —

General Motors is starting to lay off about 4,300 white-collar workers worldwide this week.

In November, the company said it wanted to cut 8,000 salaried and contract workers so it can raise profit margins and invest more in autonomous and electric vehicles.

The company says 2,200 white-collar employees took buyouts, while another 1,500 contract workers were let go.

Many of the layoffs will happen at GM's technical center near Detroit. Most work on components for internal combustion engines and discontinued car models.

GM also plans to close one Canadian and four U.S. car factories, shedding another 5,000 jobs. But 2,700 U.S. workers will be offered jobs at other factories.

GM says the layoffs are part of a restructuring will add up to $2.5 billion to its bottom line this year.